Issue - meetings

1.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PULLEN

“At the beginning of November 2022 there were 11 empty units in The Eastgate Shopping Centre. This is a sad reflection on the state of the economy, the state of retail business and the changing face of the city centre.

Businesses have failed and moved out because they haven’t been unable to afford rising costs and business rates, have been unable to compete with on line shopping and as the way the public buy things has changed, some businesses have been unable to keep up.       

Having empty units in the Eastgate Centre is costly to the council, is economically unviable and results in a loss of income.

Empty units are also unsightly, gives the impression of a lack of investment, leads to a rundown environment, which in turn affects footfall.

Now that the Gloucester City Council owns the Eastgate Centre one way in which the council could address the issues with empty units is to introduce a ‘Meanwhile Space’ initiative. Such a scheme would enable local community organisations, small business start-ups, social enterprises and similar organisations the opportunity to use empty units for temporary or short term periods based on realistically reduced and affordable terms and conditions.

Such occupancy would not only fill vacant premises in the Eastgate Centre but would also bring a diversity of uses and illustrate to the public the wealth of community initiatives and organisations that exist in Gloucester.

It would also be far better to have units used for alternative purposes rather than keep them empty for an extended period. 

This council therefore resolves to:

·       Initiate a Meanwhile Space scheme in the Eastgate Centre.

·       Consider vacant units that could be put to Meanwhile Space use

·       Identify potential organisations, community groups and business start-ups who might take advantage of the scheme

·       Lead by example and encourage landlords in other parts of the city centre to consider Meanwhile Space usage.”

2.    PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HILTON

“This council notes that Gloucestershire County Council has put in an expression of interest in creating so called investment zones, a scheme proposed by the short lived Liz Truss government.

 
This council notes that one of the areas proposed for central Gloucestershire is located around Gloucestershire Airport.

This council agrees that the best way to boost investment in Gloucestershire would be for the UK to re-join the European Single Market and Customs Union.

This council also notes both Stroud District Council and Cheltenham Borough Council have confirmed that they oppose the establishment of these so called investment zones, which will give businesses operating within them an unfair tax advantage over other well established businesses operating elsewhere in Gloucestershire.

This council also notes that the creation of these investment zones could undermine the planning polices established in the Joint Core Strategy, which is also currently under review. It would mean local residents getting less say on planning matters.

This council agrees not to support the county council’s bid, whilst the full implications of creating these mini tax havens  ...  view the full agenda text for item 37